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Top College Programs – 2014 Rankings

Editor’s Note: After some lengthy discourse with some members of the Ultimate community, including Joe Seidler, former UPA board member, we have altered our ranking methodology slightly and have updated the past rankings to reflect the new scoring system.

Specifically, we have weighted a national championship crown more heavily in comparison to simply reaching the final game. Previously, the weighting was 5 to 7, a 40% premium, now it’s 5 to 8, an 60% increase. This more accurately recognizes and rewards the highest achievement in the college Ultimate world.

We have also readjusted the pre-1999 scoring to be consistent with the more recent numbers that we felt were reflective of how much more difficult it is to win a regional championship now than in 1985. It has been argued that there were also fewer participants in the National tournament back then. Those normalized scores give a real boost to the teams who had great success at the national level in the period from 1984 to 1999.

2014 Finals in Brief

As compared to last year when for the first time in 14 years the familiar names did not reach the final game, the 2014 season restored to normalcy, the top programs reaching the highest level. Three out of the four semi-finalists were in the top 10 of the all-time best college program rankings (Colorado, Oregon and UNC Wilmington), while the fourth, North Carolina was 21st before this year’s scoring.

This year at the national tournament there was one first timer, Rutgers of New Jersey with their first appearance since the UPA kept detailed accounts.

In the final contest, it was Colorado taking advantage of some sloppy North Carolina play early as they broke to an 8-4 first-half lead, never looking back, on their way to capturing their second national title in school history. The win moved Mamabird to within four points of 3rd place all time, gaining on Stanford who has held that spot for the past five years.

Here is another ranking method by former UPA Board Member 2002-2004, Joe Seidler.